Novelty cap apparatus



May, l7, 1966 v. D. TAYLOR NOVELTY CAP APPARATUS Filed July 13, 1964 Fig: 4

WJJ MM l4 TTOrQ/VEV United States Patent 3,251,154 NOVELTY CAP APPARATUS Vincent 1). Taylor, 623 Mynster St., Council Bluiis, Iowa Filed July 13, 1964, Ser. No. 382,171 Claims. (Cl. 46-11) This invention relates generally to caps for containers or the like and more particularly to a novelty cap having a rotatable member integral therewith.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel cap apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novelty cap wherein a rotatable member rotates or unwinds subsequent to manual rotation in an opposite direction.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novelty cap capable of sealing the neck of a container and providing amusement for the user at the same time.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a novel cap apparatus of such construction that the majority of its component parts can be molded of plastics, be easily assembled and disassembled with a tight interfit into a sturdy and rugged unit.

Still another object ofthis invention is the provision of a cap of the character described and capable of attaining the above designated objectives which is simple and strong in construction so as to withstand the degree of rough handling to which it is subjected in use, and be capable of economical manufacture.

These objects and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of-a container to the neck of which a preferred embodiment of this invention is attached;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional, along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view as seen from the lines 33 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the elements comprising the invention. 1

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a novelty cap apparatus is indicated generally at It} in FIG. 1, and is adapted to seal the neck 11 of a container 12. In this instance the container 12 is a toy submarine having a cavity 13 therewithin for holding a liquid such as liquid soap or shampoo.

The invention of the cap apparatus 10 is not to be so limited, however, but is useful with any container or the like having some form of cavity formed therein for which a neck is provided. The present neck 11 is externally threaded for sealing engagement by a conventional cap (not shown), and as seen hereinafter the apparatus 10 utilizes the threaded neck 11 for the same purpose as the conventional cap.

The cap apparatus comprises generally a cover unit, in-

fragmentary view taken dicated generally at 14 in FIG. 4, frictionally engageable with the neck 11; a propeller-like head 16 rotatably mounted on the cover unit 16; and an elastic, rubber band 17 connectible between the head 16 and an inner end projection 18 of the cover unit 14 described more in detail hereinafter.

In particular, the cover unit 14 includes a circular cap 19 (FIG. 2) internally threaded for threaded engagement with the neck 11, and integral with an elongated, hollow member 21. The annular space between the cap 19 and the member 21 is sufiicient to provide for a complete sealing engagement of the neck 11 by the cap 19, with the member 21 extended into the cavity 13 unobstructed.

The outer end of the member 21 is open at 22 (FIG. 2), and the inner end is internally threaded at 23 -to threadably receive the projection 18. This element is itself externally threaded to effect a seal with the member threads 23 and has integral therewith a hook 24 for receiving one end of the rubber band 17. It should be noted here that the projection 18 although shown separate from the member 21 could be integral therewith; and the hook 24- could conceivably be closed with an aperture formed therein. The outside diameter of the projection 18 is the same as that of the member 21, with a shoulder formed at 26 between the projection 18 and the end of the member 21.

The rotatable head 16 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) comprises a cone-shaped element from which a trio of arcuately, equally spaced propellers 27 extend at a fixed pitch. A circular flange 28 depends from the periphery of the head 16, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, loosely engages an annular shoulder 29 formed about the exposed end of the cap 19.

Rotation of the head 16 is stabilized by the flange 28, and by a stem 31 which extends into the hollow member 21 through the open end22 and toward the inner end projection 18. The diameter of the stem 31 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the member 21, and a book 32 is formed integral therewith to receive the other end of the band 17.

The apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in its assembled condition, ready for use. It will be seen that the cavity 13 is sealed off from the atmosphere by the apparatus 10 being threadably engaged with the neck.

Furthermore, the apparatus 10 is operable while so sealing the container 12. The head 16 can be rotated in either direction, twisting the rubber band 17 in the process about the stationary projection 18. Upon release of the head 16, it revolves in the opposite direction until the band 17 attains its original condition.

Should the container 12 be in water, the submarine shape will enable its being propelled either forward or backward depending upon the direction of, rotation of the head 16. To use the contents of the container 12, if any, or to gain access to the cavity 13, the cap 19 need be merely unthreaded off the neck 11, thereby exposing the cavity 13. Subsequently, the cavity is again sealed by screwing the cap 19 on again.

So long as the band resiliently connects the head 16 to the projection 18, the apparatus 10 stays together as a unit. Thus, upon removal of the apparatus 10 from the container 12, and subsequent re-assembly thereto, the apparatus remains intact. It can, of course, be easily detached for servicing purposes, or merely for educational purposes for children, as the case may be.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is to be remembered that various alterations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally enagageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means over said open outer end; and

resilient means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end.

2. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means including a circular cap for encircling said neck, and a hollow member extended from the cap through the neck toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means'over said open outer end; and

resilient means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end. i

3. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means including a circular cap for encircling said neck, and a hollow member extended from the cap through the neck toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means including a circular depending flange seated upon and encircling at least a portion of said cap; and

resilient means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end.

4. A novely cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means including a circular cap for encircling said neck, and a hollow member extended from the cap through the neck toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means including a circular depending flange seated upon and encircling at least a portion of said cap; and

elastic means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end, said elastic means operable upon release of said cap subsequent to manual rotation thereof in one direction, to rotate said cap in the opposite direction.

5. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

' cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow memher extended toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on. said cover means including a circular depending flange seated upon and encircling at least a portion of said cover means; and

resilient means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end.

6. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cove-r means including a circular depending flange seated upon and encircling at least a portion of said cover means; and

elastic means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end, said elastic means operable upon release of said rotatably mounted means subsequent to manual rotation thereof in one direction, to rotate said rotatably mounted means in the opposite direction.

'7. A'novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed theren and a neck therefor, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means including a cap rotatably mounted on said cover means over said open outer end; and

elastic means connected to and extended between said rotatably mounted means and said member inner end, said elastic means operable upon release of said cap subsequent to manual rotation thereof in one direction, to rotate said cap in the opposite direction.

3. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor with external threads, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended toward the cavity and closed at the inner end thereof, the outer end of said member open;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means over said open outer end;

a stem with an opening formed therein extended from said rotatably mounted means into said hollow member toward said inner end; and

resilient means connected to and extended between said stem, at the opening thereof, and said member inner end.

9. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor with external threads, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended through the neck toward the cavity,

said hollow member open at both ends;

a projection frictionally inserted into the inner end of said member, closing and inner end, and having an opening formed therein;

means rotatably mounted on said cover means over the open outer end of said member; and

elastic means attached to said projection at the opening thereof and attached to said rotatably mounted means.

10. A novelty cap apparatus for a container having a cavity formed therein and a neck therefor with external threads, said cap apparatus comprising:

cover means frictionally engageable with the neck for enclosing the cavity, and including a hollow member extended through the neck toward the cavity, said hollow member open at both ends;

a projection frictionally inserted into the inner end of 5 6 said member, closing said inner end, and having an References Cited by the Examiner oPeningforgledtherein UNITED STATES PATENTS means rotata y mounte on sal cover means over the open outer end of said member; 07,192 9/1924 Laukandt 46*78 a stem with an opening formed therein extended from 2'186051 1/1940 Walker 46*78 5 2,214,270 9/1940 Buehler 46-94 said rotatably mounted means into said hollow member toward said inner end; and 2845746 8/1958 McKmney 46 78 elastic means attached to said projection at the opening thereof and attached to said rotatably mounted JOSEPH LECLAIR Primary Examiner means. 10 D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A NOVELTY CAP APPARATUS FOR A CONTAINER HAVING A CAVITY FORMED THEREIN AND A NECK THEREFOR, SAID CAP APPARATUS COMPRISING: COVER MEANS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE NECK FOR ENCLOSING THE CAVITY, AND INCLUDING A HOLLOW MEMBER EXTENDED TOWARD THE CAVITY AND CLOSED AT THE INNER END THEREOF, THE OUTER END OF SAID MEMBER OPEN; MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID COVER MEANS OVER SAID OPEN OUTER END; AND RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDED BETWEEN SAID ROTATABLY MOUNTED MEANS AND SAID MEMBER INNER END. 